Tsekenis urges fans to turn out for Olympic

A warm sunny day gave Olympic fans no excuses not to turn up in support of their top of the table side at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon. Sydney Olympic hosted Blacktown City in a game that didn't produce many goal scoring opportunities for either team. 

A bright day at Belmore Sports Ground

Luckily Sydney Olympic capitalised on the first chance they received and took an early lead for the second time in as many weeks through Chris Triantis in the 3rd minute. Tod Bamber flicked a ball on after some good build up play which found Triantis free on the right to put the ball in the goal.

Chris Triantis was again in the action in the 16th minute as he struck low and hard from well outside the 18 yard box however his shot went screaming past the right post.

In the 31st minute Travis Major played a nice cross from the right that found a waiting Luke Roodenburg whose resultant effort was poor. In what should have been the equaliser, Roodenburg leaned back on the ball and hit a weak shot over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time cries from the home crowd for a penalty went unanswered as Blacktown defender Patrick Gatt seemingly handled the ball inside the area. Referee waived play on however and the score remained one nil going into the sheds.

Blacktown attempted to come out after the break strongly in search of an equaliser but were let down in the final third of the park - indecision and poor finishing the culprits. To both team's credit, Olympic did well to stem Blacktown's attack in their attempt to hold on to their slim lead.

Blacktown could have been two nil down in the 73rd after a ricochet in the box off their own player almost trickled over the goal line. Minutes later Matt Lewis almost bent a free kick into the far post but Olympic 'keeper Paul Henderson was more than equal to it, gracefully tipping the ball over the post.

One nil it stayed with Sydney Olympic furthering their grip on top spot of the NSW Premier League. Meanwhile, Blacktown City drop to 5th on the ladder, nine points off the lead.

Coach of the home side Peter Tsekenis was disappointed after the match over the crowd numbers to date. Official figures of 700-800, which vary greatly from the much lower approximations made by The Football Sack (300-400), have so far been average. After the match he spoke of his expectations at next week's fixture against Sutherland Sharks.

"It's going to be a top of the table clash. If I don't see a couple thousand people here next week I'll be very disappointed.

"It's funny how in years gone past they [fans and Greek media] all complained about Olympic not getting results but we're top of the table, doing well so I'm expecting them to turn out next week.

"I'm not happy [with the crowds so far]. I like my players to get the credit. They're making the effort so they deserve the crowd to come out and acknowledge that. So yes I'm disappointed and I expect better".